The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has warned that cursing people online is a criminal offense.
He said this act is considered cyberbullying and is punishable under the law.
Adejobi made this statement in a tweet, explaining that such behaviour is not protected as freedom of expression or constructive criticism. He wrote:
“Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not expression of freedom or criticism.
“And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided.”
This statement sparked reactions online. See some comments below:
felabayomi: “When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the day someone will challenge these law they are using to take away peoples human right in the supreme court. Late Gani Fawehinmi would have challenged that law by now.”
DistinctFOJ: “Olumuyiwa, assuming your narrative is valid, Section 1(3) of the CFRN state that if any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution, this constitution shall prevail.
Freedom of expression is nonnegotiable. Raining curses is Constitutional.”
omoopee_: “You are absolutely right sir, raining curses and engaging in cyberbullying is not freedom of expression but an act of harm. We must all learn to express ourselves responsibly. That said, sir, please, you are yet to respond to my question.”
